Air intake system for an off-road vehicle

ABSTRACT

A vehicle has a frame, at least one ground engaging member, an internal combustion engine, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and an air intake assembly. The CVT 5 has a CVT housing. The air intake assembly has at least one air intake assembly inlet, at least one first air intake assembly aperture and at least one second air intake assembly aperture. The at least one first air intake assembly aperture fluidly communicates with at least one air intake port of the engine. The at least one second air intake assembly aperture fluidly communicates with an interior of the CVT housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 62/328,893, filed Apr. 28, 2016, the entirety of whichis incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present technology relates to an air intake system for off-roadvehicles and an off-road vehicle having such an air intake system.

BACKGROUND

There exist various types of vehicles used mainly in off-roadconditions. One such type is the side-by-side off-road vehicle (SSV).The name “side-by-side” refers to the seating arrangement of the vehiclein which the driver and a passenger are seated side-by-side. Someside-by-side off-road vehicles also have a second row of seats toaccommodate one or more additional passengers. These vehicles typicallyhave an open cockpit, a roll cage and a steering wheel.

As would be understood, in order to operate, the internal combustionengine of a SSV needs to be supplied with air. This air needs to be asfree as possible of dust, debris and water, otherwise the engine willnot operate as efficiently as it could and there is also a risk ofdamaging the engine. Since SSVs operate in off-road conditions, theenvironment in which they operate tends to be dustier, to have moredebris and to be wetter than the environment in which on-road vehiclestypically operate. The off-road environment therefore makes the desiredsupply of fresh air to the engine difficult.

Also, many SSVs use a continuously variable transmission (CVT) totransfer torque from the engine to the wheels. The components of the CVTcan get hot during operation. As such, it is desirable to cool thesecomponents. One way of cooling these components is to supply air to theCVT so as to air-cool its components. However, this air should also beas free as possible of dust, debris and water. As discussed above, theoff-road environment in which SSVs operate make this difficult.

Furthermore, side-by-side off-road vehicles are generally narrower andshorter than on-road vehicles such as cars. As such, there is less spaceavailable to dispose the various components that would be needed tosupply clean air to the engine and the components that would be neededto supply clean air to the CVT.

Thus there is a desire for an arrangement of components for supplyingair to the engine and to the CVT that is suitable for the operatingconditions and limited overall dimensions of side-by-side off-roadvehicles.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present technology to ameliorate at least some ofthe inconveniences present in the prior art.

According to one aspect of the present technology, there is provided avehicle having a frame, at least one ground engaging member operativelyconnected to the frame, an internal combustion engine connected to theframe, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and an air intakeassembly. The CVT has a CVT housing, a primary pulley housed in the CVThousing and operatively connected to the engine, a secondary pulleyhoused in the CVT housing and operatively connected to at least one ofthe at least one ground engaging member, and a belt housed in the CVThousing and looped around the primary and secondary pulleys to transfertorque between the primary and secondary pulleys. The air intakeassembly has at least one air intake assembly inlet, at least one firstair intake assembly aperture and at least one second air intake assemblyaperture. The at least one first air intake assembly aperture fluidlycommunicates with at least one air intake port of the engine. The atleast one second air intake assembly aperture fluidly communicates withan interior of the CVT housing. A portion of air entering the air intakeassembly via the at least one air intake assembly inlet flows out of theair intake assembly via the at least one first air intake assemblyaperture and then flows to the at least one air intake port of theengine. Another portion of air entering the air intake assembly via theat least one air intake assembly inlet flows out of the air intakeassembly via the at least one second air intake assembly aperture andthen flows to the interior of the CVT housing.

According to some implementations of the present technology, at leastone CVT inlet conduit fluidly communicates the at least one second airintake assembly aperture with the interior of the CVT housing.

According to some implementations of the present technology, the atleast one CVT inlet conduit is two CVT inlet conduits. An outlet of oneof the two CVT inlet conduits is disposed closer to the primary pulleythan to the secondary pulley. An outlet of another one of the two CVTinlet conduits is disposed closer to the secondary pulley than to theprimary pulley.

According to some implementations of the present technology, the CVThousing includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portionis separable from the second portion. The outlet of the one of the twoCVT inlet conduits is disposed in the first portion. The outlet of theother one of the two CVT inlet conduits is disposed in the secondportion.

According to some implementations of the present technology, at leastone CVT outlet conduit fluidly communicates the interior of the CVThousing with the atmosphere.

According to some implementations of the present technology, the atleast one CVT outlet conduit is two CVT outlet conduits. An inlet of oneof the two CVT outlet conduits is disposed closer to the primary pulleythan to the secondary pulley. An inlet of another one of the two CVToutlet conduits is disposed closer to the secondary pulley than to theprimary pulley.

According to some implementations of the present technology, an exhaustsystem is fluidly connected to an exhaust port of the engine. The atleast one CVT outlet conduit is oriented to direct air flowing out ofthe CVT housing via the at least one CVT outlet conduit over a portionof the exhaust system.

According to some implementations of the present technology, aturbocharger is fluidly connected between the at least one first airintake assembly aperture and the at least one air intake port of theengine. The at least one CVT outlet conduit is oriented to direct airflowing out of the CVT housing via the at least one CVT outlet conduitover a portion of the turbocharger.

According to some implementations of the present technology, aturbocharger is fluidly connected between the at least one first airintake assembly aperture and the at least one air intake port of theengine.

According to some implementations of the present technology, an airfilter fluidly connected between the at least one first air intakeassembly aperture and the turbocharger.

According to some implementations of the present technology, a blow-bygas tube fluidly communicates the engine with a conduit fluidlycommunicating the air filter with the turbocharger.

According to some implementations of the present technology, anintercooler fluidly communicates with the turbocharger for receivingpressurized air from the turbocharger. The intercooler fluidlycommunicates with the engine for supplying air to the engine.

According to some implementations of the present technology, a base isdisposed above the engine. The intercooler and the air intake assemblyare mounted to the base.

According to some implementations of the present technology, a base isdisposed above the engine. The air intake assembly is mounted to thebase.

According to some implementations of the present technology, the airintake assembly is removable from the base. The air intake assemblydefines a space and a third air intake assembly aperture below the base.A compressible bellows is disposed in the space and is connected betweenthe at least one first air intake assembly aperture and the third airintake assembly aperture.

According to some implementations of the present technology, the airintake assembly includes a filter housing defining the at least onefirst air intake assembly aperture and the at least one second airintake assembly aperture, a cover disposed over and being at leastpartially spaced from a top of the filter housing, the cover extendingdown over at least one of a side of the filter housing, and the at leastone air intake assembly inlet is defined at least in part between thefilter housing and the cover.

According to some implementations of the present technology, at leastone screen filter is disposed in the air intake assembly and connectedto the at least one second air intake assembly aperture for filteringair entering the at least one second air intake assembly aperture.

According to some implementations of the present technology, a seat isconnected to the frame. The seat has a seat bottom, a seat back and aheadrest. The at least one air intake assembly inlet is disposedrearward of the headrest and is at least partially aligned laterally andvertically with the headrest.

According to another aspect of the present technology, there is providedvehicle having a frame, a seat connected to the frame, at least oneground engaging member operatively connected to the frame, an internalcombustion engine connected to the frame, the internal combustion enginebeing operatively connected to at least one of the at least one groundengaging member, and an air intake assembly having at least one airintake assembly inlet and at least one air intake assembly aperture. Theseat has a seat bottom, a seat back and a headrest. The at least one airintake assembly aperture fluidly communicates with at least one airintake port of the engine. The at least one air intake assembly inlet isdisposed rearward of the headrest and is at least partially alignedlaterally and vertically with the headrest.

According to some implementations of the present technology, the atleast one air intake assembly inlet faces generally forward.

According to some implementations of the present technology, the seat isa driver seat. A passenger seat is connected to the frame. The passengerseat has a seat bottom, a seat back and a headrest. The driver andpassenger seats are disposed laterally next to each other. The seatbacks of the driver and passenger seats define a space therebetween. Anintercooler fluidly communicates the at least one air intake assemblyaperture with the engine. The intercooler is disposed rearward of thedriver and passenger seats. The intercooler being at least partiallyaligned laterally with the space defined between the seat backs of thedriver and passenger seats.

According to some implementations of the present technology, a base isdisposed above the engine. The intercooler and the air intake assemblyare mounted to the base.

According to another aspect of the present technology, there is providea filter housing having a first aperture, a tube connected to andextending from the first aperture, at least one second aperture, and atleast one filter connected to the at least one second aperture forfiltering air entering the at least one second aperture. A portion ofair entering the filter housing flows out of the filter housing via thefirst aperture and through the tube. Another portion of air entering thefilter housing flows out of the filter housing via the at least onesecond aperture around the tube separately from the portion of airflowing out of the filter housing via the first aperture.

According to some implementations of the present technology, the filterhousing has a central raised portion. The first aperture and the atleast one second aperture are defined in the raised portion. The tubeextends inside the raised portion.

According to some implementations of the present technology, a floorextends from a bottom of the central raised portion. A vertical wallextends from the floor along three sides of the central raised portion.The floor is disposed between the central raised portion and thevertical wall.

According to some implementations of the present technology, a seal isconnected to a bottom of the floor.

According to some implementations of the present technology, drainapertures are defined in a bottom of the vertical wall.

According to some implementations of the present technology, the filterhousing has a latch.

According to some implementations of the present technology, a gratingis provided over the first aperture.

According to some implementations of the present technology, the atleast one second aperture includes: two second apertures defined in atop of the central raised portion, and six air intake assembly aperturesdefined in sides, front and back of the central raised portion.

According to some implementations of the present technology, the atleast one filter is a screen filter.

For purposes of this application, terms related to spatial orientationsuch as forwardly, rearward, upwardly, downwardly, left, and right, areas they would normally be understood by a driver of the vehicle sittingthereon in a normal riding position. Terms related to spatialorientation when describing or referring to components or sub-assembliesof the vehicle, separately from the vehicle should be understood as theywould be understood when these components or sub-assemblies are mountedto the vehicle, unless specified otherwise in this application. In theevent of a discrepancy between an explanation in the present applicationand an explanation in a document incorporated herein by reference, theexplanation in the present application takes precedence.

Implementations of the present technology each have at least one of theabove-mentioned object and/or aspects, but do not necessarily have allof them. It should be understood that some aspects of the presenttechnology that have resulted from attempting to attain theabove-mentioned object may not satisfy this object and/or may satisfyother objects not specifically recited herein.

Additional and/or alternative features, aspects and advantages ofimplementations of the present technology will become apparent from thefollowing description, the accompanying drawings and the appendedclaims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present technology, as well as otheraspects and further features thereof, reference is made to the followingdescription which is to be used in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an off-road vehicle taken from a front,left side;

FIG. 2 is a left side elevation view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view taken from a rear, left side of a frame, aCVT and a portion of an air intake system of the vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the frame and a portion of the air intakesystem of the vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a left side elevation view of the frame, the CVT and a portionof the air intake system of the vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a rear elevation view of the frame and a portion of the airintake system of the vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view taken from a rear, left side of the frame,a portion of the air intake system, and a portion of an exhaust systemof the vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of seats, an engine and associatedcomponents of the engine of the vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a left side elevation view of the components of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a bottom plan view of the seats, powertrain, and rearsuspension assemblies of the vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a right side elevation view of the engine, air intake systemand exhaust system of the vehicle of FIG. 1, with some componentsremoved for clarity;

FIG. 15 is a front elevation view of the components of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a rear elevation view of the components of FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the components of FIG. 14;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view taken from a rear, left side of the airintake system and the CVT of the vehicle of FIG. 1;

FIG. 19 is a rear elevation view of the components of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a front elevation view of the components of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is a left side elevation view of the components of FIG. 18;

FIG. 22 is a top plan view of the components of FIG. 18;

FIG. 23 is a bottom plan view of the components of FIG. 18;

FIG. 24 is a partially exploded view of the components of FIG. 18 takefrom a front, right side with the pulleys and the belt of the CVTremoved;

FIG. 25 is a top plan view of the components of FIG. 18 with a cover ofan air intake assembly, a cover of an intercooler and a portion of theCVT removed;

FIG. 26 is a front elevation view of the components of FIG. 25;

FIG. 27 is perspective view taken from a rear, left side of thecomponents of FIG. 18 with the CVT, the cover of the air intake assemblyand the cover of the intercooler removed and with a filter housing ofthe air intake assembly shown separated from a base;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view taken from a rear, right side of thefilter housing of the air intake assembly with filters and a gratingprovided thereon;

FIG. 29 is a top plan view of the filter housing of FIG. 28 with thefilters;

FIG. 30 is a left side elevation view of the filter housing of FIG. 28;

FIG. 31 is a front elevation view of the filter housing of FIG. 28;

FIG. 32 is a rear elevation view of the filter housing of FIG. 28;

FIG. 33 is a bottom plan view of the filter housing of FIG. 28;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view taken from a rear, right side of thefilter housing of FIG. 28;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view taken from a rear, right side ofalternative implementation of the filter housing of the air intakeassembly;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view taken from a front, right side of theengine, air intake system and exhaust system of the vehicle of FIG. 1,with an alternative implementation of a CVT outlet conduit, with somecomponents removed for clarity;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view taken from a rear, right side of thealternative implementation of the CVT outlet conduit of FIG. 36;

FIG. 38 is a rear view of the CVT outlet conduit of FIG. 37;

FIG. 39 is a bottom view of the CVT outlet conduit of FIG. 37;

FIG. 40 is a left side elevation view of an air box of the CVT outletconduit of FIG. 37 mounted to an alternative implementation of theseparation wall of the vehicle of FIG. 1, with a rear surface of thedriver seat and a front portion of the engine illustrated schematically;and

FIG. 41 is a perspective view taken from a front, right side of the airbox and separation wall of FIG. 40, with the air box disconnected fromthe separation wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present technology will be described with respect to a four-wheeloff-road vehicle 10 having two side-by-side seats 24, 26 and a steeringwheel 34. However, it is contemplated that some aspects of the presenttechnology may apply to other types of vehicles such as, but not limitedto, off-road vehicles having more or less than four wheels.

The general features of the off-road vehicle 10 will be described withrespect to FIGS. 1 to 5. The vehicle 10 has a frame 12, two front wheels14 connected to a front of the frame 12 by front suspension assemblies16 and two rear wheels 18 connected to the frame 12 by rear suspensionassemblies 20.

The frame 12 defines a central cockpit area 22 inside which are disposeda driver seat 24 and a passenger seat 26. In the present implementation,the driver seat 24 is disposed on the left side of the vehicle 10 andthe passenger seat 26 is disposed on the right side of the vehicle 10.However, it is contemplated that the driver seat 24 could be disposed onthe right side of the vehicle 10 and that the passenger seat 26 could bedisposed on the left side of the vehicle 10. Each seat 24, 26 has a seatbottom 28, a seat back 30 and a headrest 32.

A steering wheel 34 is disposed in front of the driver seat 24. Thesteering wheel 34 is used to turn the front wheels 14 to steer thevehicle 10. Various displays and gauges 36 are disposed above thesteering wheel 34 to provide information to the driver regarding theoperating conditions of the vehicle 10. Examples of displays and gauges36 include, but are not limited to, a speedometer, a tachometer, a fuelgauge, a transmission position display, and an oil temperature gauge.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, an engine 38 is connected to the frame 12 in arear portion of the vehicle 10. The engine 38 is connected to acontinuously variable transmission (CVT) 40 disposed on a left side ofthe engine 38. The CVT 40 includes a CVT housing 42 inside which aprimary pulley 44, a secondary pulley 46 and a belt 48 (shown in dottedlines in FIG. 12) of the CVT 40 are housed. The CVT 40 is operativelyconnected to a transaxle 50 (FIG. 12) to transmit torque from the engine38 to the transaxle 50. The transaxle 50 is disposed behind the engine38. The primary pulley 44 is mounted to an output shaft 45 (FIG. 13) ofthe engine 38. The secondary pulley 46 is mounted to an input shaft 47(FIG. 13) of the transaxle 50. The belt 48 is looped around the primaryand secondary pulleys 44, 46 to transmit torque between the primary andsecondary pulleys 44, 46. The transaxle 50 is operatively connected tothe front and rear wheels 14, 18 to propel the vehicle 10. A fuel tank(not shown) is suspended from the frame 12 in front of the passengerseat 26 and stores the fuel to be used by the engine 38.

Turning back to FIGS. 1 to 5, body panels of the vehicle 10 will bedescribed. The body panels are connected to the frame 12. The panelshelp protect the internal components of the vehicle 10 and provide someof the aesthetic features of the vehicle 10. Front panels 52 areconnected to a front of the frame 12. The front panels 52 are disposedforward of the front suspension assemblies 16 and laterally between thefront wheels 14. The front panels 52 define two apertures inside whichthe headlights 54 of the vehicle 10 are disposed. A cover 56 extendsgenerally horizontally reward from a top of the front panels 52. Thecover 56 defines an aperture 58 through which tops of the frontsuspension assemblies 16 protrude. Front fenders 60 are disposedrearward of the front panels 52 on each side of the vehicle 10. Eachfront fender 60 is disposed in part above and in part behind of itscorresponding front wheel 14. Lower panels 62 extend along the bottom ofthe frame 12 between the front and rear wheels 14, 18. As can be seen inFIG. 2 for the left lower panel 62, each lower panel 62 has a front enddisposed under the bottom portion of its corresponding front fender 60and extends rearward therefrom. A generally L-shaped panel 64 isdisposed behind the rear end of each lower panel 62. Generally L-shapedrear fenders 66 extend upward and then rearward from the rear, upperends of the L-shaped panels 64. Each rear fender 66 is disposed in partabove and in part forward of its corresponding rear wheel 18. The rearfenders 66 define apertures at the rear thereof to receive the brakelights 68 of the vehicle 10. It is contemplated that the brake lights 68could be replaced with reflectors or that reflectors could be providedin addition to the brake lights 68.

On each side of the vehicle 10, the front fender 60, the lower panel 62,the L-shaped panel 64 and the rear fender 66 define a passage 70 throughwhich a driver (or passenger depending on the side of the vehicle 10)can enter or exit the vehicle 10. Each side of the vehicle 10 isprovided with a door 72 that selectively closes an upper portion of thecorresponding passage 70. Each door 72 is hinged at a rear thereof toits corresponding rear fender 66 and its associated portion of the frame12. Each door 72 is also selectively connected at a front thereof to theframe 12 via a releasable latch (not shown). It is contemplated thateach door 72 could be hinged at a front thereof and latched at a rearthereof. As best seen in FIG. 2 for the left side of the vehicle 10,when the doors 72 are closed the lower portions of the passages 70 arestill opened. It is contemplated that nets could extend in the lowerportions of the passages 70 when the doors 72 are closed or that thedoors 72 could be larger so as to close the lower portions of thepassages 70.

As best seen in FIG. 5, the rear fenders 66 define a cargo space 74therebetween behind the seats 24, 26. The cargo space 74 has a floor 76extending horizontally between the rear fenders 66. The floor 76 has aplurality of apertures such that the floor 76 can act as an attachmentsbase to receive anchors such as those described in U.S. Pat. No.8,875,830, issued Nov. 4, 2014, the entirety of which is incorporatedherein by reference, in order to secure various items in the cargo space74. It is contemplated that hooks or loops could be provided instead ofor in addition to the apertures in the floor 76. It is also contemplatedthat the floor 76 could not be provided with any attachment features. Itis contemplated that the floor 76 could be replaced by a cargo box thatcan be tilted in order to dump its content. A separation wall 78 (bestseen in FIG. 6) is connected to the frame 12, extends laterally and isdisposed longitudinally between the seats 24, 26 and the floor 76. As aresult, the separation wall 78 separates the cockpit area 22 from thecargo space 74. As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, rear panels 80 aredisposed laterally between the rear wheels 18 behind the floor 76.

Turning now to FIGS. 6 to 10, the frame 12 of the vehicle 10 will bedescribed in more detail. The frame 12 has a central portion 82, a frontportion 84 and a rear portion 86. As their names suggest, the frontportion 84 is disposed in front of the central portion 82 and the rearportion 86 is disposed behind the central portion 82. The centralportion 82 defines the cockpit area 22 in which the seats 24, 26 aredisposed. The central portion 82 also defines a roll cage 88. The frontsuspension assemblies 16, which are double A-arms suspensions, areconnected to the central and front portions 82, 84 of the frame 12. Theengine 38, the CVT 40 and the transaxle 50 are supported by the rearportion 86 of the frame 12. The rear suspension assemblies 20, which aretrailing arm suspensions, are connected to the central and rear portions82, 86 of the frame 12. The frame 12 is made from a plurality of hollowcylindrical steel members and steel brackets that are welded to eachother. It is contemplated that at least some of the hollow cylindricalmembers could be replaced by other types of members such as solidcylindrical members, hollow tubes having a cross-section other thancircular, and beams, for example. It is also contemplated that themembers and brackets could be made of another type of metal, such asaluminum for example. It is also contemplated that at least some of themembers and brackets could be made of a non-metallic material, such ascomposite materials or plastics for example. It is also contemplatedthat at least some of the members and brackets could be joined to eachother by means other than welding, such as by fastening and bonding forexample. It is also contemplated that two or more of the members andbrackets described below could be cast or otherwise formed as a singlecomponent. It is also contemplated that the frame 12 could have more orless members and brackets than described below depending on the type ofmaterials used, the required strength and rigidity of the frame 12 andthe weight of the components attached to the frame 12 for example.

Turning now to FIGS. 11 to 16, the powertrain of the vehicle 10 will bedescribed. The engine 38 is connected to the frame 12 at a positionbehind the rearmost points of the seat bottoms 28. More specifically,the engine 38 has two engine mounts 100, 102 on a lower portion thereofthat are connected to brackets 104, 106 respectively (FIG. 10) of therear portion 86 of the frame 12. The engine 38 is an in-line,three-cylinder, four-stroke internal combustion engine. It iscontemplated that other types of internal combustion engines could beuse, such as a V-twin or a two-stroke internal combustion engine forexample. It is also contemplated that in some implementations, theengine 38 could be replaced by another type of motor such as a dieselengine or an electric motor for example.

As previously mentioned, the CVT 50 is mounted on the left side of theengine 38 and of the transaxle 50. It is contemplated that the CVT 40could be mounted on the right side of the engine 38 and of the transaxle50. The engine 38 drives the CVT 32 which drives the transaxle 50.

The transaxle 50 is mounted to the back of the engine 38. The transaxle50 is mechanically connected to a shifter 108 (FIG. 35). The shifter 108is disposed laterally between the two seats 24, 26. The shifter 108allows the driver to select from a plurality of combinations ofengagement of gears of the transaxle 50, commonly referred to as gears.In the present implementation, the shifter 108 allows the driver toselect a reverse gear, two forward gears (high and low) and a neutralposition in which the transaxle 50 does not transmit torque to thewheels 14, 18. It is contemplated that other types of connectionsbetween the shifter 108 and the transaxle 50 could be used. It is alsocontemplated that the transaxle 50 could select between transferringtorque to only two of the wheels 14 or 18 and all four wheels 14, 18, inwhich case a two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive selector would beprovided in the vicinity of the driver.

The transaxle 50 has a plurality of gear trains connected to and drivinga front output shaft 110. As can be seen in FIG. 13, the front outputshaft 110 is operatively connected to and drives three driveshaft 112connected in series. The front driveshaft 112 drives a frontdifferential 114. Driven output gears of the front differential 114 areoperatively connected to and drive the left and right front wheels 14via assemblies of half-shafts 116, constant velocity (CV) joints (notshown, but located inside flexible boots 118 in FIG. 13), front wheelaxles (not shown), and front wheel hubs 120. The transaxle 50incorporates a rear differential 122 that is driven by the plurality ofgear trains. Driven output gears of the rear differential 122 areoperatively connected to and drive the left and right rear wheels 18 viaassemblies of half-shafts 124, constant velocity (CV) joints (not shown,but located inside flexible boots 126 in FIG. 13), rear wheel axles (notshown), and rear wheel hubs 128.

Turning now to FIGS. 14 to 27, the air intake system of the vehicle 10will be described. The air intake system has an air intake assembly 150mounted to a base 152 disposed above the engine 38. The air intakeassembly 150 is disposed above a front, left portion of the engine 38.The air intake assembly 150 defines an air intake assembly inlet 154(best seen in FIG. 20) through which air enters the air intake system.The air intake assembly 150 defines one air intake assembly aperture 156and eight air intake assembly apertures 158. It is contemplated that theair intake assembly 150 could have more than one air intake assemblyaperture 156 and more or less than eight air intake assembly apertures158. The air intake assembly 150 will be described in greater detailbelow. Air exiting the air intake assembly 150 via the air intakeassembly aperture 156 is supplied to the air intake ports of the engine38 and air exiting the air intake assembly 150 via the air intakeassembly apertures 158 is supplied to the interior of the CVT housing 42as will be described below.

As can be seen in FIGS. 7, 12 and 21, the base 152 has an arcuate tab160 at a front thereof that is fastened to a laterally extending framemember 162 having a circular cross-section. The frame member 162 isdisposed behind the headrests 32 of the seats 24, 26. As can be seen inFIGS. 6 to 9 and 12, the base 152 sits on and is fastened to a top of alaterally extending frame member 164 having a square cross-section.

As best seen in FIG. 18, the air intake assembly 150 has a downwardlyextending recessed portion 166 extending below and connected to a bottomof the base 152. The recessed portion 166 defines a space 168. Therecessed portion 166 defines an air intake assembly aperture 170 (FIG.26). A filter housing 300 of the air intake assembly 150, described ingreater detail below, sits on top of this space 168 above the air intakeassembly aperture 170. As can be seen in FIG. 27, a compressible bellows172 is provided in the space 168. The lower end of the bellows 172 isconnected at its lower end around the air intake assembly aperture 170and forms an air-tight seal around the air intake assembly aperture 170.When the filter housing 300 is installed on the base 152, the filterhousing 300 compresses the bellows 172 and, as a result, the bellows 172forms an air-tight seal around the air intake assembly aperture 156.Therefore, air entering the air intake assembly aperture 156 flows tothe air intake assembly aperture 170 via the bellows 172 and does notleak into the space 168 around the bellows 172. Similarly, air in thespace 168 does not leak into the bellows 172.

Returning to FIGS. 14 to 27, from the bellows 172 and the air intakeassembly aperture 170, air flows into an air intake pipe 174 whichextends downward and forward and enters through a top portion of an airfilter housing 176 near a right end thereof. The air filter housing 176is generally cylindrical and contains an air filter 178 (shown in dottedlines in FIG. 20). From its right end, the air filter housing 176extends downward, forward and to the left. The air filter housing 176 isprovided with a drain 180 at a lower left corner thereof, which is thelower portion of the air filter housing 176, to permit any debris thatmay have accumulated in the air filter housing 176 to be drained fromthe air filter housing 176. The air filter housing 176 is rigidlyconnected to the wall 78.

As best seen in FIG. 26, a flexible conduit 182 extends right from aright end wall of the air filter housing 176. The right end of theconduit 182 is connected to a turbocharger 184 (FIG. 15, schematicallyshown in dotted lines in FIGS. 20, 23, 24 and 26) such that air can flowfrom the filter housing 176 to the turbocharger 184. As can be seen inFIG. 26, from the air filter housing 176, the flexible conduit 182 goesup to an apex and then down to the turbocharger 184. A tube connector186 extends upward and rearward from the section of the conduit 182located between the apex of the conduit 182 and the turbocharger 184. Ablow-by gas tube 188, best seen in FIGS. 26 and 27, is connected to thetube connector 186, extends under the base 152 around the engine 38 andthen connects to a cylinder head of the engine 38 such that blow-bygases generated in the engine 38 are returned to the intake air to besupplied to the engine 38. By locating the tube connector 186 betweenthe apex of the conduit 182 and the turbocharger 184, any oil entrainedwith the blow-by gases will flow in the conduit 182 toward theturbocharger 184 and not toward the air filter 178 in the air filterhousing 176.

The turbocharger 184 is disposed in front of the cylinders of the engine38 and is generally laterally centered relative to the engine 38. Theturbocharger 184 is longitudinally between the engine 38 and the wall78, and is therefore also longitudinally between the engine 38 and theseats 24, 26. The exhaust gases are supplied from the engine 38 to powera turbine of the turbocharger 184 that compresses the air supplied fromthe conduit 182 to the turbocharger 184.

From the turbocharger 184, air enters a pipe 190 that extends rearward,upward and toward the left and connects to a left side of an intercooler192 as can be seen in FIG. 23. The intercooler 192 includes passages forthe flow of air coming from the pipe 190 for cooling the air that haspreviously been heated in the turbocharger 184. The intercooler 192 ismounted on the base 152 to the right of the air intake assembly 150. Theintercooler 192 is disposed at an angle such that its rear end is higherthan its front end. The intercooler 192 is disposed rearward of thedriver and passenger seats 24, 26. As can be seen in FIG. 11, a majorityof the intercooler 192 is aligned laterally with the space definedbetween the seat backs 30 of the seats 24, 26. As such, when the vehicle10 moves forward, the air passing between the seats 24, 26 flows throughthe intercooler 192 to assist in cooling the air flowing through theintercooler 192 from the pipe 190. A cover 194 is connected to the base152 over the intercooler 192. The cover 194 has a plurality of forwardlyfacing inlets directing air toward the intercooler 192. The cover 194 isprovided with two tongues 191 (FIG. 24) at the front thereof and twodownwardly extending pins 193 (only one shown in FIG. 24) near a rearthereof. To install the cover 194, the tongues are inserted into grooves195 formed behind the tab 160 (see FIG. 25). The cover 194 is thenpivoted down such that the pins are received inside apertures defined bygrommets 197 (FIG. 27) provided in the base 152, thereby retaining thecover 194 on the base 152. A handle 199 (FIG. 19) provided on the backof the cover 194 allows a user to lift the back of the cover 194 inorder to remove the cover 194 from the base 152. A fan 196 is connectedunder the base 152 under the intercooler 192. An aperture (not shown) isdefined in the base 152 between the intercooler 192 and the fan 196. Thefan 196 generates an air flow through the intercooler 192 based onconditions related at least in part on a position of a throttle valve(not shown) of a throttle body 202 (FIGS. 12, 17) and on engine speed.

From the intercooler 192, air flows in a pipe 198 disposed on a rightend of the intercooler 192 best seen in FIG. 23. The pipe 198 isdisposed under the base 152. The pipe 198 has a first portion thatextends downward from the intercooler 192, then rearward and toward theleft to a second portion extending toward the left to a third portionthat extends forward, toward the left and then downward. The secondportion of the pipe 198 is connected to the base 152 by a clip 200 (FIG.23). From the pipe 198, air enters the throttle body 202 (FIGS. 12, 17)which includes a throttle valve (not shown) to control the flow of airto the engine 38. The position of the throttle valve is determined atleast in part by the position of the throttle pedal (not shown) disposedin front of the driver seat 24. From the throttle body 202, the airenters a plenum 204 (FIG. 17) extending laterally behind the cylindersof the engine 38. From the plenum 204, the air is supplied to the airintake ports of the engine 38.

As previously mentioned, the air intake assembly 150 has eight airintake assembly apertures 158. Air flowing out of the air intakeassembly 150 via the air intake assembly apertures 158 flows into thespace 168 under the filter housing 300. In order to cool the CVT 40, twoCVT inlet conduits 250, 252 are connected between the recessed portion166 of the air intake assembly 150 and the CVT housing 42 to supply airfrom the space 168 to an interior of the CVT housing 42. The CVT housing42 is made of a left portion 254 and a right portion 256 that arefastened to each other and which can be separated from each other inorder to install and perform maintenance on the CVT 40. The CVT inletconduit 250 is connected to a front, bottom portion of the recessedportion 166 (see FIG. 21) and extends downward therefrom. As best seenin FIG. 24, the lower end of the CVT inlet conduit 250 connects to a CVTinlet in a top, front portion of the right portion 256 of the CVThousing 42 such that the outlet of the CVT inlet conduit 250 is inproximity to the primary pulley 44. As a result, air supplied by the CVTinlet conduit 250 flows over the primary pulley 44. The CVT inletconduit 252 is connected to a rear, bottom portion of the recessedportion 166 (see FIG. 21) and extends downward therefrom. As can be seenin FIG. 21, the lower end of the CVT inlet conduit 252 connects to a CVTinlet in a top, rear portion of the left portion 254 of the CVT housing42 such that the outlet of the CVT inlet conduit 252 is in proximity tothe secondary pulley 46. As a result, air supplied by the CVT inletconduit 252 flows over the secondary pulley 46.

To exhaust the air from the interior of the CVT housing 42, two CVToutlet conduits 258, 260 are connected to the CVT housing 42 and open tothe atmosphere as best seen in FIG. 24. The highest points of CVT outletconduits 258, 260 are vertically lower than the base 152, and aretherefore vertically lower than the air intake assembly 150.

An inlet of the CVT outlet conduit 258 is connected to a CVT outlet in atop, front portion of the right portion 256 of the CVT housing 42 suchthat the inlet of the CVT outlet conduit 258 is in proximity to theprimary pulley 44. From the right portion 256 of the CVT housing 42, theCVT outlet conduit 258 extends forward, then toward the right to aflared outlet portion 262 that extends rearward, rightward and slightlydownward. The CVT outlet conduit 258 is supported by a bracket 264 (FIG.24) connected to a front of the engine 38. The outlet portion 262 of theCVT outlet conduit 258 is oriented to generate a cooling air flow fromthe air flowing out of the CVT housing 42 via the CVT outlet conduit262. The cooling air flow is an air flow resulting from and includingthe air coming out of the outlet portion 262 of the CVT outlet conduit258 that cools components by withdrawing heat from them and/or bypreventing heat from reaching these components. The cooling air flowcools at least a portion of the turbocharger 184 and components of thevehicle 10 that are nearby the turbocharger 184, some of which aredescribed below. These components of the vehicle 10 are near enough tothe turbocharger 184 to be heated by heat radiated from the turbocharger184. In some implementations, the cooling air flow cools only theturbocharger 184 or only one or more of these components.

More specifically the outlet portion 262 of the CVT outlet conduit 258directs the cooling air flow over a front of the engine 38, a portion ofthe turbocharger 184, a starter motor 266 (FIG. 15) of the engine 38that is mounted to a front of the engine 38, and a knock sensor 267 ofthe engine 38 that is also mounted to the front of the engine 38. As aresult, the cooling air flow generated by air flowing out of the CVToutlet conduit 258 cools these components. The engine 38, theturbocharger 184, the starter motor 266 and the knock sensor 267 are alldisposed at least in part rearward of the outlet portion 262 of the CVToutlet conduit 258.

An inlet of the CVT outlet conduit 260 is connected to a CVT outlet in atop, rear portion of the right portion 256 of the CVT housing 42 suchthat the inlet of the CVT outlet conduit 260 is in proximity to thesecondary pulley 44. From the right portion 256 of the CVT housing 42,the CVT outlet conduit 260 extends upward to an arcuate outlet portion268 that extends upward, rightward and then slightly downward. The CVToutlet conduit 260 is supported by a bracket 270 (FIG. 18) connected tothe transaxle 50. The outlet portion 268 of the CVT outlet conduit 260is oriented to direct air flowing out of the CVT outlet conduit 260 overthe transaxle 50 and a portion of the exhaust system of the engine 38 aswill be described below. As a result, the air flowing out of the CVToutlet conduit 260 cools these components.

In an alternative implementation illustrated in FIGS. 36 to 41, the CVToutlet conduit 258 has been replaced by a CVT outlet conduit 500. TheCVT outlet conduit 500 has a pipe 502, an air box 504, and an outletportion in the form of an outlet scoop 506.

An inlet of the pipe 502 is connected to the CVT outlet in the top,front portion of the right portion 256 of the CVT housing 42. From theright portion 256 of the CVT housing 42, the pipe 50 extends forward andrightward and connects to an inlet of the air box 504. The air box 504defines an inverted generally U-shaped passage having a left verticalbranch 508, a horizontal branch 510, and a right vertical branch 512.The inlet of the air box 504 is disposed at a bottom of the leftvertical branch 508. The air box 504 also has a protrusion 514 extendingrearward from a top thereof from the horizontal branch 510. Theprotrusion 514 defines a generally downwardly facing outlet 516 (FIG.39). The air box 504 shields the outlet 516 from incoming dust and/orwater, as the case may be, as the vehicle 10 moves forward.

As shown in FIG. 40, the air box 504 is mounted to a front of aseparation wall 517 disposed longitudinally between the seats 24, 26(the rear side of the driver seat 24 being schematically by line 519 inFIG. 40) and the engine 38, which is an alternative implementation ofthe separation wall 78 described above. As can also be seen in FIG. 40,part of the air box 504 is disposed longitudinally between the seats 24,26 (i.e. line 519) and the separation wall 517, and the separation wall517 is disposed longitudinally between the air box 504 and the engine38. A majority of the air box 504 is disposed in the cockpit area 22.The air box 504 is connected to the separation wall 517 along a lateralcenter thereof so a to cover a recess 521 (FIG. 41) defined by theseparation wall 517. The recess 521 and the air box 504 are disposedlaterally between the seats 24, 26. The air box 504 has a pair of pins518 (FIG. 37) that are received in a pair of grommets 523 (FIG. 41)provided in the separation wall 517 on either side of the recess 521 soas to connect the air box 504 to the separation wall 517. The air box504 is also supported by a pair of tabs 520 extending from a bottomthereof that are received in corresponding notches 525 defined in theseparation wall 78 along the bottom edge of the recess 521. The pipe 502and the outlet scoop 506 both pass through the recess 521 to connect tothe air box 504.

The outlet scoop 506 is connected to an outlet of the air box 504disposed at a bottom of the right vertical branch 512. The outlet scoop506 extends generally rearward from the outlet of the air box 504. Theoutlet scoop 506 defines a primary outlet 522 and has a downwardlyextending bypass channel 524 defining a secondary outlet 526.

During operation, air flows out of the CVT housing 42, flow through thepipe 502 and into the left vertical branch 508 of the air box 504. Airthen flows upward in the left vertical branch 508 and into thehorizontal branch 510. From the horizontal branch 510, some air flowsout to the atmosphere via the outlet 516 and some air flows downward inthe right vertical branch 512. From the right vertical branch 512, airflows into the outlet scoop 506 and out to the atmosphere via theprimary and secondary outlets 522, 526. The primary and secondaryoutlets 522, 526 are oriented to generate cooling air flows from the airflowing out of the CVT housing 42 via the CVT outlet conduit 500. Aswould be understood, air flowing out of the secondary outlet 526 flowsmore downward than the air flowing out of the primary outlet 522. Morespecifically the primary outlet 522 directs the cooling air flow overthe front of the engine 38 and a portion of the turbocharger 184, andthe secondary outlet 526 directs the cooling air flow over the front ofthe engine 38, the starter motor 266 and the knock sensor 267. As aresult, the cooling air flows generated by air flowing out of the CVToutlet conduit 500 via the outlet scoop 506 cool these components.

In the event that the vehicle 10 is operated so as to become partiallysubmerged in water and that the water level is above the outlet scoop506, air can still exhaust to the atmosphere via the outlet 516. Theinverted generally U-shape defined by the branches 508, 512, 514 alsoprevent water from flowing from the outlet scoop 506 into the CVThousing 42 as long as the water level remains below the outlet 516.

Turning now to FIGS. 20, 21, 24, and 27, the air intake assembly 150will be described in more detail. As previously mentioned, the airintake assembly 150 is mounted to the base 152. The air intake assembly150 includes the recessed portion 166, a filter housing 300 and a cover302. The filter housing 300 defines the air intake assembly aperture 156and the air intake assembly apertures 158.

The filter housing 300 is mounted to the base 152 behind a vertical wall304 integrally formed with the base 152. To secure the front of thefilter housing 300 to the base 152, the filter housing 300 is providedwith three tongues 306 (see FIG. 29) extending from a lower frontportion thereof that are inserted into three grooves 308 (FIG. 27)formed in the base of the wall 304. It is contemplated that more or lessthan three tongues 306 and three grooves 308 could be provided. Toconnect the rear of the filter housing 300 to the base 152, the filterhousing 300 is provided with a latch 310 that is releasably connected toa horizontal bar 312 (FIG. 27, shown connected in FIG. 16) that isconnected to the base 152. The base 152 has a recessed edge 313 aroundthe top of the recess to receive a seal 358 (FIG. 32) at the bottom ofthe filter housing 300 to provide a seal between the bottom of thefilter housing 300 and the space 168. It is contemplated that the filterhousing 300 could be connected to the base 152 through other means.

The cover 302 is provided with two hooks 314 at the front thereof andtwo downwardly extending pins 316 (FIG. 24) near a rear thereof. Toinstall the cover 302, the hooks 314 are placed over a laterallyextending frame member 318 having a circular cross-section (see FIG. 7).The frame member 318 is disposed behind the headrests 32 of the seats24, 26 above the frame member 162. The cover 302 is then pivoted downabout the frame member 318 such that the pins 316 are received insideapertures defined by grommets 320 provided in the base 152. As a result,the cover 302 is secured to the base 152. A handle 322 provided on theback of the cover 302 allows a user to lift the back of the cover 302 inorder to remove the cover 302 from the base 152. As can be seen in FIG.19, the cover 302 extends partially over the cover 194 of theintercooler 192. As such, the cover 194 must be installed before thecover 302 and the cover 302 must be removed before the cover 194.

As can be seen in FIGS. 20 and 21, when installed, the cover 302partially extends down over the left, right and rear sides of the filterhousing 300. However, since the cover 302 does not extend down to thebase 152 and since there is a space between the top, left side, rightside and rear side of the filter housing 300 and the corresponding sidesof the cover 302, air can enter the air intake assembly 150 via thisspace, thus forming an air inlet of the air intake assembly 150. Thepath taken by the air to enter the air intake assembly 150 via thisspace is tortuous. The air must go under the lower edge of the cover 302then up between the filter housing 300 and the cover 302, thusseparating some of the water and dust that may be present in the air. Ascan be see in FIG. 20, a space is defined above the front of the filterhousing 300 between the top edge of the wall 304 and the front portionof the cover 302, thus forming the air inlet 154 that faces generallyforward. As should be understood by looking at FIGS. 3, 11 and 12 incombination with FIG. 20, the air inlet 154 is disposed rearward of theheadrest 32 of the driver seat 24 and is partially vertically andlaterally aligned with this headrest 32. As a result, the headrest 32 ofthe driver seat 24 partially shields the air inlet 154 from incomingdust and/or water, as the case may be, as the vehicle 10 moves forward.Also, since other portions of the air intake assembly 150 are positionedbehind the headrest 32 of the driver seat 24, this headrest 32 alsopartially shields the air inlet formed between the sides and rears ofthe filter housing 300 and the cover 302 from incoming dust and/orwater, as the case may be, as the vehicle 10 moves forward.

Turning now to FIGS. 28 to 34, the filter housing 300 will be describedin more detail. The filter housing 300 has a central raised portion 350,a vertical wall 352 that extends on its left, right and rear sides, avertical front lip 354 that extends on its front side, and a floor 356.The floor 356 extends between the bottom left, right and rear sides ofthe raised portion 350 and the bottom of the wall 352 and between thebottom of the front side of the raised portion 350 and the bottom of thefront lip 354. FIG. 30 shows the filter housing 300 as it is orientedwhen it is installed on the base 152. As can be seen, the floor 356slants down from its rear to its front. A seal 358 is connected to thebottom of the floor 356. The seal 358 abuts the recessed edge 313 (FIG.27) when the filter housing 300 is connected to the base 152. Drainapertures 360 are provided in the bottom front portions of the left andright sides of the wall 352 to permit the evacuation of water that maycollect on the floor 356.

As can be seen in FIG. 29, the filter housing 300 tapers toward itsrear. The lip 354 is much shorter than the wall 352 so as not to impedethe flow of air into the filter housing 300 and into the air intakeassembly apertures 156, 158. The previously mentioned tongues 308 extendfrom the floor 356 forward of the lip 354. The previously mentionedlatch 310 is connected to the back of the wall 352.

As can be seen, the central raised portion 350 tapers slightly towardits top. The central raised portion 350 defines the air intake assemblyapertures 156, 158. The air intake assembly aperture 156 is circular andis defined in a top of the central raised portion 350 near a frontthereof. A tube 362 (FIG. 32) extends inside the central raised portion350 downward from the air intake assembly aperture 156. When the filterhousing 300 is installed on the base 152, the top edge of the flexiblebellows 172 (FIG. 27) abuts the lower edge of the tube 362 and forms aseal with it. Air flowing inside the air intake assembly aperture 156,then flows in the tube 362, then in the flexible bellows 172 and thenthrough the various components mentioned above to then enter the airintake ports of the engine 38 as mentioned above. In FIG. 28, a grating364 is provided over the air intake assembly aperture 156. The grating364 helps prevent large debris from entering into the air intakeassembly aperture 156. The grating 364 also includes a screen filter 365to filter the air passing through the air intake assembly apertures 156.It is contemplated that the grating 364 could be omitted. Two air intakeassembly apertures 158 are defined in the top of the central raisedportion 350. These two air intake assembly apertures 158 follow aportion of the contour of the air intake assembly aperture 156 andextend rearward therefrom. The other six air intake assembly apertures158 are defined in the sides, front and back of the central raisedportion 350. Screen filters 366 are connected to the air intake assemblyapertures 158 to filter the air passing through the air intake assemblyapertures 158. The screen filters 366 are removable to permit theirreplacement. Once the air passes through the filters 366 and the airintake assembly apertures 158, it flows inside the space 168 in the base152 (FIG. 27), then flows to the interior of the CVT housing 42 and thenout to the atmosphere as described above. In one implementation, thescreen filters 365, 366 are made of a hydrophobic mesh material toprevent not only dust but also at least a portion of water contained inthe air from passing through the air intake assembly apertures 156, 158.One example of such a hydrophobic mesh material is Nitex™. Othermaterials and types of filters are contemplated.

FIG. 35 illustrates a filter housing 600 that is an alternativeimplementation of the filter housing 300. The filter housing 600 is thesame as the filter housing 300 except that the grating 364 and screenfilter 365 have been replaced by a cover 602 and screen filters 604. Assuch, features of the filter housing 600 that are the same as those ofthe filter housing 300 have been labeled with the same referencenumerals and will not be described again herein. Note that even thoughthe latch 310 does not appear in FIG. 35, the filter housing 600 isprovided with a latch 310 like the one of the filter housing 300.

The cover 602 is disposed over the air intake assembly aperture 156 andis fastened to the top of the central raised portion 350 by threefasteners 606 (two of which can be seen in FIG. 35). The cover 602 isremovable to permit its cleaning and/or replacement. The cover 602 has atop defining a top aperture 608 and five lateral sides each defining aside aperture 610. The top aperture 608 is separated in multiplesections by reinforcing ribs 612 of the cover 602. The screen filters604 are connected to the top and side apertures 608, 610 to filter theair before it flows to the intake assembly aperture 156. In oneimplementation, the screen filters 604 are made of a hydrophobic meshmaterial to prevent not only dust but also at least a portion of watercontained in the air from passing through the air intake assemblyaperture 156. One example of such a hydrophobic mesh material is Nitex™.Other materials and types of filters are contemplated. It is alsocontemplated that a single screen filter 604 having a shapecomplementary to the shape of the cover 602 could be provided inside thecover 602. It is also contemplated that the cover 602 and the screenfilters 604 could be integrally formed.

Turning now to FIGS. 10 and 14 to 17, the exhaust system of the vehicle10 will be described. Exhaust gases from the combustion chambers of theengine 38 enter the exhaust system via an exhaust manifold 400 (FIG. 15)connected to the front of the cylinders of the engine 38. From theexhaust manifold 400, the exhaust gases flow to the turbocharger 184 todrive the turbine of the turbocharger 184. From the turbocharger 184,the exhaust gases flow in an exhaust pipe 402 that first extends to theright and then rearward. From the exhaust pipe 402, the exhaust gasesflow rearward and upward through an expansion chamber 404. It iscontemplated that the expansion chamber 404 could house a catalyticconverter. The expansion chamber 404 is disposed inside a heat shield406, a portion of which is removed in the figures to show the expansionchamber 404. Air flowing out of the CVT outlet conduit 260 flows overthe heat shield 406 as would be understood from FIG. 14. From theexpansion chamber 404, the exhaust gases flow in an exhaust pipe 408that first extends rearward and then left into a muffler 410. From themuffler 410, the exhaust gases flow in an exhaust pipe 412 extendingfrom the rear side of the muffler 410. The exhaust pipe 412 is laterallycentered on the vehicle 10. The exhaust pipe 412 defines the rearwardfacing exhaust outlet 414 through which the exhaust gases flow to theatmosphere. The muffler 410 is connected to the transaxle 50 viabrackets 416 as best seen in FIGS. 14 and 16.

The vehicle 10 implemented in accordance with some non-limitingimplementations of the present technology can be represented aspresented in the following numbered clauses.

CLAUSE 1: A vehicle comprising: a frame; at least one ground engagingmember operatively connected to the frame; an internal combustion engineconnected to the frame; a continuously variable transmission (CVT)having: a CVT housing; a primary pulley housed in the CVT housing andoperatively connected to the engine; a secondary pulley housed in theCVT housing and operatively connected to at least one of the at leastone ground engaging member; and a belt housed in the CVT housing andlooped around the primary and secondary pulleys to transfer torquebetween the primary and secondary pulleys; and an air intake assemblyhaving at least one air intake assembly inlet, at least one first airintake assembly aperture and at least one second air intake assemblyaperture, the at least one first air intake assembly aperture fluidlycommunicating with at least one air intake port of the engine, the atleast one second air intake assembly aperture fluidly communicating withan interior of the CVT housing, a portion of air entering the air intakeassembly via the at least one air intake assembly inlet flowing out ofthe air intake assembly via the at least one first air intake assemblyaperture and then flowing to the at least one air intake port of theengine, and another portion of air entering the air intake assembly viathe at least one air intake assembly inlet flowing out of the air intakeassembly via the at least one second air intake assembly aperture andthen flowing to the interior of the CVT housing.

CLAUSE 2: The vehicle of clause 1, further comprising at least one CVTinlet conduit fluidly communicating the at least one second air intakeassembly aperture with the interior of the CVT housing.

CLAUSE 3: The vehicle of clause 2, wherein: the at least one CVT inletconduit is two CVT inlet conduits; an outlet of one of the two CVT inletconduits is disposed closer to the primary pulley than to the secondarypulley; and an outlet of another one of the two CVT inlet conduits isdisposed closer to the secondary pulley than to the primary pulley.

CLAUSE 4: The vehicle of clause 3, wherein: the CVT housing includes afirst portion and a second portion, the first portion being separablefrom the second portion; the outlet of the one of the two CVT inletconduits is disposed in the first portion; and the outlet of the otherone of the two CVT inlet conduits is disposed in the second portion.

CLAUSE 5: The vehicle of any one of clauses 1 to 3, further comprisingat least one CVT outlet conduit fluidly communicating the interior ofthe CVT housing with the atmosphere.

CLAUSE 6: The vehicle of clause 5, wherein: the at least one CVT outletconduit is two CVT outlet conduits; an inlet of one of the two CVToutlet conduits is disposed closer to the primary pulley than to thesecondary pulley; and an inlet of another one of the two CVT outletconduits is disposed closer to the secondary pulley than to the primarypulley.

CLAUSE 7: The vehicle of clause 5 or 6, further comprising an exhaustsystem fluidly connected to an exhaust port of the engine; and whereinthe at least one CVT outlet conduit is oriented to direct air flowingout of the CVT housing via the at least one CVT outlet conduit over aportion of the exhaust system.

CLAUSE 8: The vehicle of any one of clauses 5 to 7, further comprising aturbocharger fluidly connected between the at least one first air intakeassembly aperture and the at least one air intake port of the engine;and wherein the at least one CVT outlet conduit is oriented to directair flowing out of the CVT housing via the at least one CVT outletconduit over a portion of the turbocharger.

CLAUSE 9: The vehicle of any one of clauses 1 to 9, further comprising aturbocharger fluidly connected between the at least one first air intakeassembly aperture and the at least one air intake port of the engine.

CLAUSE 10: The vehicle of clause 9, further comprising an air filterfluidly connected between the at least one first air intake assemblyaperture and the turbocharger.

CLAUSE 11: The vehicle of clause 10, further comprising a blow-by gastube fluidly communicating the engine with a conduit fluidlycommunicating the air filter with the turbocharger.

CLAUSE 12: The vehicle of any on of clauses 9 to 11, further comprisingan intercooler fluidly communicating with the turbocharger for receivingpressurized air from the turbocharger, the intercooler fluidlycommunicating with the engine for supplying air to the engine.

CLAUSE 13: The vehicle of clause 12, further comprising a base disposedabove the engine; wherein the intercooler and the air intake assemblyare mounted to the base.

CLAUSE 14: The vehicle of any one of clauses 1 to 13, further comprisinga base disposed above the engine; wherein the air intake assembly ismounted to the base.

CLAUSE 15: The vehicle of clause 14, wherein the air intake assembly isremovable from the base; wherein the air intake assembly defines a spaceand a third air intake assembly aperture below the base; and the vehiclefurther comprises a compressible bellows disposed in the space andconnected between the at least one first air intake assembly apertureand the third air intake assembly aperture.

CLAUSE 16: The vehicle of any one of clauses 1 to 15, wherein the airintake assembly includes: a filter housing defining the at least onefirst air intake assembly aperture and the at least one second airintake assembly aperture; a cover disposed over and being at leastpartially spaced from a top of the filter housing, the cover extendingdown over at least one of a side of the filter housing; and the at leastone air intake assembly inlet is defined at least in part between thefilter housing and the cover.

CLAUSE 17: The vehicle of any one of clauses 1 to 16, further comprisingat least one screen filter disposed in the air intake assembly andconnected to the at least one second air intake assembly aperture forfiltering air entering the at least one second air intake assemblyaperture.

CLAUSE 18: The vehicle of any one of clauses 1 to 17, further comprisinga seat connected to the frame; and wherein: the seat has a seat bottom,a seat back and a headrest; and the at least one air intake assemblyinlet is disposed rearward of the headrest and is at least partiallyaligned laterally and vertically with the headrest.

CLAUSE 19: A vehicle comprising: a frame; a seat connected to the frame,the seat having a seat bottom, a seat back and a headrest; at least oneground engaging member operatively connected to the frame; an internalcombustion engine connected to the frame, the internal combustion enginebeing operatively connected to at least one of the at least one groundengaging member; and an air intake assembly having at least one airintake assembly inlet and at least one air intake assembly aperture, theat least one air intake assembly aperture fluidly communicating with atleast one air intake port of the engine, the at least one air intakeassembly inlet being disposed rearward of the headrest and being atleast partially aligned laterally and vertically with the headrest.

CLAUSE 20: The vehicle of clause 19, wherein the at least one air intakeassembly inlet faces generally forward.

CLAUSE 21: The vehicle of clause 19 or 20, wherein the seat is a driverseat; and the vehicle further comprises: a passenger seat connected tothe frame, the passenger seat having a seat bottom, a seat back and aheadrest, the driver and passenger seats being disposed laterally nextto each other, the seat backs of the driver and passenger seats defininga space therebetween; and an intercooler fluidly communicating the atleast one air intake assembly aperture with the engine, the intercoolerbeing disposed rearward of the driver and passenger seats, and theintercooler being at least partially aligned laterally with the spacedefined between the seat backs of the driver and passenger seats.

CLAUSE 22: The vehicle of clause 21, further comprising a base disposedabove the engine; wherein the intercooler and the air intake assemblyare mounted to the base.

CLAUSE 23: A filter housing comprising: a first aperture; a tubeconnected to and extending from the first aperture; at least one secondaperture; and at least one filter connected to the at least one secondaperture for filtering air entering the at least one second aperture, aportion of air entering the filter housing flowing out of the filterhousing via the first aperture and through the tube, and another portionof air entering the filter housing flowing out of the filter housing viathe at least one second aperture around the tube separately from theportion of air flowing out of the filter housing via the first aperture.

CLAUSE 24: The filter housing of clause 23, further comprising a centralraised portion; wherein the first aperture and the at least one secondaperture are defined in the raised portion; and wherein the tube extendsinside the raised portion.

CLAUSE 25: The filter housing of clause 23 or 24, further comprising: afloor extending from a bottom of the central raised portion; and avertical wall extending from the floor along three sides of the centralraised portion, the floor being disposed between the central raisedportion and the vertical wall.

CLAUSE 26: The filter housing of clause 25, further comprising a sealconnected to a bottom of the floor.

CLAUSE 27: The filter housing of clause 25 or 26, further comprisingdrain apertures defined in a bottom of the vertical wall.

CLAUSE 28: The filter housing of any one of clauses 23 to 27, furthercomprising a latch.

CLAUSE 29: The filter housing of any one clauses 23 to 28, furthercomprising a grating provided over the first aperture.

CLAUSE 30: The filter housing of any one of clauses 23 to 29, whereinthe at least one second aperture includes: two second apertures definedin a top of the central raised portion; and six air intake assemblyapertures defined in sides, front and back of the central raisedportion.

CLAUSE 31: The filter housing of any one of clauses 23 to 30, whereinthe at least one filter is a screen filter.

Modifications and improvements to the above-described implementations ofthe present technology may become apparent to those skilled in the art.The foregoing description is intended to be exemplary rather thanlimiting. The scope of the present technology is therefore intended tobe limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.

1. A vehicle comprising: a frame; at least one ground engaging memberoperatively connected to the frame; an internal combustion engineconnected to the frame; a continuously variable transmission (CVT)having: a CVT housing; a primary pulley housed in the CVT housing andoperatively connected to the engine; a secondary pulley housed in theCVT housing and operatively connected to at least one of the at leastone ground engaging member; and a belt housed in the CVT housing andlooped around the primary and secondary pulleys to transfer torquebetween the primary and secondary pulleys; and an air intake assemblyhaving at least one air intake assembly inlet, at least one first airintake assembly aperture and at least one second air intake assemblyaperture, the at least one air intake assembly inlet fluidlycommunicating with the at least one first air intake assembly apertureand with the at least one second air intake assembly aperture, the atleast one first air intake assembly aperture fluidly communicating withat least one air intake port of the engine, the at least one second airintake assembly aperture fluidly communicating with an interior of theCVT housing, a portion of air entering the air intake assembly via theat least one air intake assembly inlet flowing out of the air intakeassembly via the at least one first air intake assembly aperture andthen flowing to the at least one air intake port of the engine, andanother portion of air entering the air intake assembly via the at leastone air intake assembly inlet flowing out of the air intake assembly viathe at least one second air intake assembly aperture and then flowing tothe interior of the CVT housing.
 2. The vehicle of claim 1, furthercomprising at least one CVT inlet conduit fluidly communicating the atleast one second air intake assembly aperture with the interior of theCVT housing.
 3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein: the at least one CVTinlet conduit is two CVT inlet conduits; an outlet of one of the two CVTinlet conduits is disposed closer to the primary pulley than to thesecondary pulley; and an outlet of another one of the two CVT inletconduits is disposed closer to the secondary pulley than to the primarypulley.
 4. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein: the CVT housing includes afirst portion and a second portion, the first portion being separablefrom the second portion; the outlet of the one of the two CVT inletconduits is disposed in the first portion; and the outlet of the otherone of the two CVT inlet conduits is disposed in the second portion. 5.The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising at least one CVT outletconduit fluidly communicating the interior of the CVT housing with theatmosphere.
 6. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein: the at least one CVToutlet conduit is two CVT outlet conduits; an inlet of one of the twoCVT outlet conduits is disposed closer to the primary pulley than to thesecondary pulley; and an inlet of another one of the two CVT outletconduits is disposed closer to the secondary pulley than to the primarypulley.
 7. (canceled)
 8. The vehicle of claim 5, further comprising aturbocharger fluidly connected between the at least one first air intakeassembly aperture and the at least one air intake port of the engine;and wherein the at least one CVT outlet conduit is oriented to directair flowing out of the CVT housing via the at least one CVT outletconduit over a portion of the turbocharger.
 9. The vehicle of claim 1,further comprising a turbocharger fluidly connected between the at leastone first air intake assembly aperture and the at least one air intakeport of the engine.
 10. The vehicle of claim 9, further comprising anair filter fluidly connected between the at least one first air intakeassembly aperture and the turbocharger.
 11. (canceled)
 12. The vehicleof claim 9, further comprising an intercooler fluidly communicating withthe turbocharger for receiving pressurized air from the turbocharger,the intercooler fluidly communicating with the engine for supplying airto the engine.
 13. The vehicle of claim 12, further comprising a basedisposed above the engine; wherein the intercooler and the air intakeassembly are mounted to the base.
 14. The vehicle of claim 1, furthercomprising a base disposed above the engine; wherein the air intakeassembly is mounted to the base.
 15. The vehicle of claim 14, whereinthe air intake assembly is removable from the base; wherein the airintake assembly defines a space and a third air intake assembly aperturebelow the base; and the vehicle further comprises a compressible bellowsdisposed in the space and connected between the at least one first airintake assembly aperture and the third air intake assembly aperture. 16.The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the air intake assembly includes: afilter housing defining the at least one first air intake assemblyaperture and the at least one second air intake assembly aperture; acover disposed over and being at least partially spaced from a top ofthe filter housing, the cover extending down over at least one of a sideof the filter housing; and the at least one air intake assembly inlet isdefined at least in part between the filter housing and the cover. 17.The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising at least one screen filterdisposed in the air intake assembly and connected to the at least onesecond air intake assembly aperture for filtering air entering the atleast one second air intake assembly aperture.
 18. The vehicle of claim1, further comprising a seat connected to the frame; and wherein: theseat has a seat bottom, a seat back and a headrest; and the at least oneair intake assembly inlet is disposed rearward of the headrest and is atleast partially aligned laterally and vertically with the headrest.19.-31. (canceled)
 32. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein one of: the atleast one first air intake assembly aperture, and the at least onesecond air intake assembly aperture, follows at least a portion of acontour of another one of: the at least one first air intake assemblyaperture, and the at least one second air intake assembly aperture. 33.The vehicle of claim 1, wherein one of: the at least one first airintake assembly aperture, and the at least one second air intakeassembly aperture, has a greater surface area than another one of: theat least one first air intake assembly aperture, and the at least onesecond air intake assembly aperture.
 34. The vehicle of claim 1, wherethe at least one first air intake assembly aperture and the at least onesecond air intake assembly aperture are at least partially surrounded byat least one vertical wall.
 35. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein: the airintake assembly includes a housing defining the at least one first airintake assembly aperture and the at least one second air intake assemblyaperture; the at least one air intake assembly fluidly communicates withan interior of the housing; a portion of air entering the housing viathe at least one air intake assembly inlet flowing out of the housingvia the at least one first air intake assembly aperture and then flowingto the at least one air intake port of the engine, and another portionof air entering the housing via the at least one air intake assemblyinlet flowing out of the housing via the at least one second air intakeassembly aperture and then flowing to the interior of the CVT housing.